BIC renews personnel contracts

Wednesday, April 20, 2005By NAN SNIDER Town Crier News Staff

The Buffalo Island Central School Board renewed personnel contracts for the 2005-06 school year, made three teacher reassignments, accepted two resignations, and staffed special summer programs during the Monday, April 11 meeting.

The board renewed contracts for all classified and certified personnel wishing to return for the 2005-06 school year. Title 1 Aides, Migrant and LEP personnel, classified Elementary Music-East Campus, Special Needs Aides, and Special Education Assistants contracts will be considered when funding amounts and personnel needs are known.

Three teacher reassignments for the 2005-06i school year will include: Krissi Rose from East Elementary to Elementary Physical Education and lower elementary Science (on both campuses); Jill Sanders from Resource, Jr. High to East Elementary; Karalee Gipson from upper West Elementary to the position of Math Coach/Co-ordinator (with other duties as assigned from the East and West elementary campuses. Several other reassignments are being considered, but no decisions was made on them at this time.

"We are looking at many changes to solve some of our problems," Superintendent George Edd Holland said. "This will all make us a better school district."

Two resignations were approved, which included: Raye Finley, Jr. High Math and Diane Golden, bus route driver. A short discussion followed concerning the need for applicants for bus drivers and substitute drivers.

The board was informed of the prospects for setting up a School of the 21st Century for pre-kindergarten students on the East campus for this summer. Efforts were being made to also serve the West campus.

Salary increases for the 2004-05 school year were discussed and will be considered at the May meeting.

The proposals for different levels of sport medicine coverage for student athletes of BIC were received from Health South of Jonesboro. After discussion and consideration, the board moved to accept Plan A, full coverage, at the rate of $8,000 per year for all student athletes.

BIC voted to sign the assurance of intent to construct the greenhouse project funded through the Carl Perkins Grant Program and local donors. The total cost is estimated at $45,000, with the school's part estimated at $10,000 or less. Different sites for the greenhouse were discussed, with one being behind the music building by the ag building. The board is currently looking at greenhouses in the area for basic size and style wanted.

Results of a Federal programs Survey, conducted by Kima Stewart, were discussed. The board will review survey/needs assessment results when they are completed. Some early results discussed different school configurations to be investigated, with ideas suggesting the use of two elementary (K-5), a middle school (6-8 grades) and high school (9-12 grades).

Two new Badboy Lawn Mowers, 27 hp, 72" cut, were approved for purchase from Cox Implement at $7,800 each.

Krissi Rose was hired as Junior High Cheerleading Sponsor for the 2005-06 school year.

Recent legislative action dealing with hiring board member relatives was discussed by the board, but no decisions were made.

Holland announced that the 17 foot awning by Carefree has been installed at the East Elementary campus in Leachville.

Plans are being made to purchase four copy machines for the Special Education department.

The board discussed the request by Mark Hurst and David Clark for a new baseball field fence and backstop. They agreed to review and address the construction during the May meeting.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 9, in the Jr. High School library, on the Leachville campus.